Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Agent's Ref. 1838P01CA
TRAILER HITCH STORAGE APPARATUS
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to trailer hitches. In particular,
the invention
relates to a trailer hitch storage apparatus.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] It is known to have a trailer hitch storage device that is installed
for example
on a wall of a garage. However such devices may not be convenient where a
trailer hitch
is required but the vehicle is not near the garage, such as, for example, when
one is out
camping or boating. These devices oftentimes also require that existing walls
be modified
for their installation.
[0003] It is also known to have a trailer hitch storage device that
attaches to a vehicle.
However such devices may be exposed to debris, dirt and the like. This may
lead to
premature wear. The exposed nature of such storage devices may also result in
an
increased risk of either the trailer hitch or the trailer hitch storage device
falling off of the
vehicle. This in turn may result in an increased safety risk for other
vehicles on the road,
as well as an increased risk of equipment loss and increased costs arising
therefrom.
[0004] Other devices may be relatively slender and thus more prone to
failure
through general fatigue, in addition to the above set out wear and tear.
[0005] Still other devices require that modifications, such as drilling
and the like, be
made to the vehicle. This in turn may lead to a depreciation of the vehicle's
net re-sale
value.
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BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a trailer hitch storage apparatus
disclosed
herein that overcomes the above disadvantages. It is an object of the present
invention to
provide an improved trailer hitch storage apparatus.
[0007] There is accordingly provided, in combination, a trailer and a
trailer hitch
storage apparatus for storing a trailer hitch on the trailer. The trailer has
a frame. The
trailer hitch storage apparatus includes a trailer hitch receptacle shaped to
receive the
trailer hitch. The trailer hitch storage apparatus includes a mount for
connecting to the
trailer. The mount is shaped to receive the frame of the trailer. The mount
operatively
connects to and angularly extends outwards from the trailer hitch receptacle.
[0008] There is also provided a trailer hitch storage apparatus for
storing a trailer
hitch on a trailer having a frame. The apparatus includes a trailer hitch
receptacle shaped
to receive the trailer hitch. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced-apart
side plates. The
side plates have first ends. At least one of the first ends of the side plates
is connected to
the trailer hitch receptacle. The side plates have second ends opposite the
first ends which
extend outwards from the trailer hitch receptacle. The side plates are
configured to
receive the frame of the trailer between the side plates. The apparatus
includes a
connector connected to the side plates near the second ends of the side
plates. The
connector is extendable between the side plates for fixedly securing the frame
of the
trailer.
[0009] There is further provided a trailer hitch storage apparatus for
storing a trailer
hitch on a trailer. The trailer has a frame. The trailer hitch storage
apparatus includes a
trailer hitch receptacle shaped to receive the trailer hitch. The trailer
hitch storage
apparatus includes a mount for connecting to the trailer. The mount is shaped
to at least
partially extend about and receive the frame of the trailer. The trailer hitch
storage
apparatus includes a truss that connects the trailer hitch receptacle and the
mount
together.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention will be more readily understood from the following
description
of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference
to the
Figure 1 is a top, front perspective view of a trailer hitch storage apparatus
according to
one embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a bottom, front perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure
1;
Figure 6 is a top, front perspective view of a trailer hitch;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a pin and a clip therefor that may be used
in association
Figure 8 is a top, side perspective view of a trailer with the trailer hitch
storage apparatus
shown in Figure 1 connected thereto, the trailer being shown partially broken
away;
Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the trailer showing the frame
thereof and the
trailer hitch storage apparatus shown in Figure 8;
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Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the trailer showing the frame
thereof and
the trailer hitch storage apparatus shown in Figure 8 and with the trailer
hitch shown in
Figure 6 connected to the trailer hitch storage apparatus;
Figure 11 is a top, front perspective view of a trailer hitch storage
apparatus according to
another embodiment; and
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a locking pin that may alternatively be
used in
association with the trailer hitch storage apparatus shown in Figure 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Referring to Figure 1, there is provided a trailer hitch storage
apparatus 20.
The apparatus is of steel in this embodiment but other metals or materials
could be used.
The trailer hitch storage apparatus 20 includes a trailer hitch receptacle 22.
The trailer
hitch receptacle 22 is shaped to receive a trailer hitch in this example a
ball mount 74 as
shown in Figure 6. Referring back to Figure 1, the trailer hitch receptacle 22
in this
example is tubular, taking the form of a tube 24 that is square-shaped in
cross-section. In
this example the inner walls of the tube 24 are two inches by two inches,
though this is
not strictly required. For example, the inner walls of the tube may be 1.25
inches by 1.25
inches in another embodiment. The trailer hitch receptacle 22 via tube 24 has
a
longitudinal, central axis 25. The trailer hitch receptacle 22 has a first end
26 and a
second end 28 opposite the first end 26. The trailer hitch receptacle 22 has
an opening 30,
square in this example, which extends from the first end 26 through to the
second end 28,
as best shown by Figures 1, 3 and 4.
[0012] Referring back to Figure 1, the trailer hitch receptacle 22 has a
pair of aligned
apertures 34 and 35, respectively, which extend through two opposing walls 31
and 33 of
the tube 24, respectively. The apertures 34 and 35 are disposed between the
first end 26
and the second end 28 of the trailer hitch receptacle 22. Apertures 34 and 35
in this
example are shaped to accommodate a standard pin 98 and clip 104 therefor, as
shown in
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Figure 7, that normally are used to fix ball mount 74, shown in Figure 6, to a
trailer hitch
receiver (not shown).
[0013] The trailer hitch storage apparatus 20 includes a rounded flange
32 that
extends around tube 24 at the second end 28 of the trailer hitch receptacle
22.
5 [0014] The trailer hitch storage apparatus 20 includes a mount 36.
The mount 36 has
a pair of spaced-apart, parallel side plates 38 and 39. Side plates 38 and 39
have first ends
45 and 42, respectively, which are adjacent to each other. Side plates 38 and
39 also have
second ends 41 and 43, respectively, which are adjacent to each other. The
second ends
41 and 43 of side plates 38 and 39 are opposite the first ends 45 and 42 of
the side plates
38 and 39, respectively.
[0015] Mount 36 further includes in this example an end plate 46. End
plate 46
extends perpendicularly between both side plates 38 and 39, respectively, in
this
example. End plate 46 is disposed near first ends 45 and 42 of the side plates
38 and 39,
respectively, in this example. Plates 38, 39 and 46 are rectangular in this
example but
could be other shapes in other embodiments. Mount 36 has rounded corners 50
and 51
located adjacent to ends 42 and 45 of the side plates. Side plates 38 and 39
and end plate
46 are integral with each other and comprise a single part in the form of a
continuous u-
shaped bracket. Mount 36, with its end plate 46 and side plates 38 and 39, is
thus
generally u-shaped with a closed end 55 and an open end 57 opposite the closed
end 55.
Side plates 38 and 39 and end plate 46 together form an opening 52.
[0016] Side plates 38 and 39 have a pair of aligned apertures 54 and 56,
respectively,
which extend through the side plates 38 and 39, respectively. The apertures 54
and 56 are
disposed adjacent to second ends 41 and 43, respectively, of the side plates
38 and 39, in
this example.
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[0017] Mount 36 is connected to and is angularly disposed in relation to
the trailer
hitch receptacle 22. The trailer hitch receptacle 22 abuts corner 51 of the
mount 36 and
end 42 of plate 39. Receptacle 22 is connected to the mount by, in this
example, weld 44,
which extends along both end plate 46 and wall 71 of tube 24. Referring to
Figure 1, the
pair of side plates 38 and 39 operatively extend outwards from the trailer
hitch receptacle
22 at an angle a. Put another way, longitudinal axis 25 of the trailer hitch
receptacle 22,
and thus the trailer hitch receptacle 22 itself, extends angularly away from
side plate 39 at
an angle a. Angle a preferably ranges from between 0 to 90 degrees and, in
this example,
angle a is equal to 40 degrees.
[0018] The trailer hitch storage apparatus 20 includes a brace 68. Brace 68
extends
between and connects to both the mount 36 and the trailer hitch receptacle 22.
In this
example brace 68 connects perpendicularly to the mount 36 at side plate 39.
Brace 68 is
disposed between ends 42 and 43 of the side plate 39. Brace 68 connects to
side plate 39
in this example via weld 53 shown in part in Figure 1. Brace 68 also connects
to side
plate 39 in this example via weld 70 shown in Figure 4.
[0019] Referring back to Figure 1, brace 68 connects to tube 24 in this
example near
the first end 26 of the trailer hitch receptacle 22. As best shown in Figure
4, brace 68
connects to the tube 24 via weld 72. As seen in Figure 4, a longitudinal
portion of side
plate 39 aligns with and faces at least a portion of tube 24._Side plate 39,
tube 24 and
brace 68 thus form a truss 69. More particularly, truss 69 includes wall 71 of
tube 24
which partially faces side plate 39, portion 73 of side plate 39 which is
adjacent to wall
71, and brace 68. Truss 69 thus may be said to have one side which connects to
the trailer
hitch receptacle 22 and another side which connects to the mount 36. In this
case, one
side of the triangular truss is one of the side plates, one side of the
triangular truss is one
side of the receptacle 22 and one side of the triangular truss is the brace
68, which is
substantially perpendicular to the side plates 38 and 39.
[0020] Referring back to Figure 1, the trailer hitch storage apparatus
20 includes a
connector 58. The connector 58 in this example includes a bolt 60, as best
shown in
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Figures 1 and 4, shaped to extend through the apertures 54 and 56 of the side
plates 38
and 39, respectively. The bolt 60 is thus connectable to and extendable across
both of the
side plates 38 and 39. As shown in Figure 5, bolt 60 includes a head 61 and a
shaft 63.
The connector 58 in this example includes a washer 66 shaped to extend around
the shaft
63 of the bolt and abut with the head 61 of the bolt. The washer 66 is
disposable between
the head 61 of the bolt and side plate 39. The connector 58 in this example
also includes a
nut 62 and a further washer 64 shaped to extend around shaft 63 and abut with
both nut
62 and side plate 38. The connector 58 is configured such that bolt 60 may
receive the
washer 64 and threadably receive the nut 62 as shown in Figure 1. As nut 62 is
tightened
in the clockwise direction, this causes washer 64 to abut side plate 38 and
washer 66
shown in Figure 4 to abut side plate 39. This in turn causes side plates 38
and 39 to move
closer together relative to each other. The connector 58 together with the
side plates 38
and 39 may thus be said to function in part as a clamp-like device.
100211 Referring to Figure 6, ball mount 74 will now be described in
further detail.
Ball mount 74 is conventional and includes a curved flange 76. Flange 76 has a
proximal
end 86 and a distal end 84 spaced-apart from the proximal end 86. The ball
mount 74
includes a tow ball 82 mounted on and extending from the flange 76 adjacent
the distal
end 84 of the flange 76. The tow ball 82 is for connecting to a trailer 108,
as shown in
Figure 8, and more specifically for connecting to a tongue coupler (not shown)
extending
from a trailer tongue 116 of the trailer 108.
100221 Referring back to Figure 6, ball mount 74 includes a rectangular
tube 88 for
inserting within the trailer hitch receiver of a truck (not shown). Tube 88
connects to the
flange 76 at end 86 of the flange 76. The trailer hitch receptacle 22 as shown
in Figure 1,
and more specifically tube 24, is so shaped as to receive tube 88 of the ball
mount 74
therewithin. The ball mount 74 seen in Figure 6 includes a pair of aligned
apertures 94
extending transversely through the tube 88, only one of which is shown.
Referring to
Figures 1 and 6, apertures 34 and 35 of the trailer hitch receptacle 22 are so
positioned as
to be alignable with apertures 94 of the ball mount 74 when the ball mount 74
is disposed
within the trailer hitch receptacle 22.
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[0023] Pin 98 and clip 104 as seen in Figure 7 are conventional and are
typically used
to connect the ball mount 74 shown in Figure 6 to the trailer hitch receiver
(not shown).
Pin 98 is L-shaped with a transversely extending aperture 103 therethrough by
end 102
and a protruding portion in this example a handle 101 opposite end 102. Pin 98
is thus
shaped to selectively extend through apertures 94 of the ball mount 74 shown
in Figure 6,
with end 102 extending outwards from one side of the ball mount and the handle
101
extending outwards from the other side of the ball mount. Clip 104 has an
elongate
portion 105 shaped to fit within and partially extend through aperture 103 of
the pin 98.
Clip 104 also has a bent portion, in this example, corrugated portion 106
connected to
and adjacent to the elongate portion 105. Corrugated portion 106 is configured
to hold
clip 104 in place upon being the clip being inserted within aperture 103.
[0024] Figure 8 shows the trailer 108 according to one example. Trailer
108 includes
a pair of wheels 110 and a frame, as indicated by frame 112. Wheels 110 are
rotatably
mounted to the frame. The frame 112 functions to receive a boat or the like in
the region
generally indicated by numeral 114. Frame 112 is generally rectangular in
section and
includes spaced-apart, side walls 118 and 119 and top 120. The trailer frame
side walls
118 and 119 can be of various heights such as, for example, four inches, six
inches or
eight inches.
[0025] Referring to Figures 1 and 9, end plate 46 is shaped to overlay
and extend
along top 120 of frame 112. The side plates 38 and 39 as indicated by side
plate 38 are so
spaced-apart and configured as to extend over side walls 118 and 119,
respectively. With
the connector 58 removed, the trailer hitch storage apparatus 20 is thus
mountable onto
the frame 112. End plate 46 thus disposed may abut against and extend along
top 120 of
the frame 112. Side plates 38 and 39 may also abut against side walls 118 and
119 of the
frame 112. The connector 58 and more specifically bolt 60 passes through
apertures 54
and 56 and extends between the side plates 38 and 39. The bolt 60, washer 64,
and nut 62
are used to secure the mount 36 of the apparatus 20 to the frame 112, in this
example.
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[0026] Referring to Figure 9, the trailer hitch storage apparatus 20 is
shown ready to
receive via opening 30 the ball mount 74 shown in Figure 6. Figure 10 shows
the ball
mount 74 disposed within the trailer hitch receptacle 22. The trailer hitch
storage
apparatus 20 so configured allows the apertures of the ball mount 74 to align
with the
apertures 34 and 35 of the tube 24. According to one preferred embodiment, pin
98 may
then be disposed through said apertures for securing the trailer hitch within
the trailer
hitch receptacle and thus to the trailer 108. Clip 104 may then be inserted
through
aperture 103 of the pin 98 to inhibit the pin from slipping out of apertures
34 and 35 of
the tube 24.
[0027] Figure 11 shows a trailer hitch storage apparatus 20.1 according to
another
embodiment. Like parts have like numbers and function as the embodiment of
Figure 1
with the addition of ".1". Trailer hitch storage apparatus 20.1 is
substantially the same as
trailer hitch storage apparatus 20 shown in Figures 1 to 10 with the exception
that the
mount 36.1 has side plates 38.1 and 39.1 that are relatively longer. This
enables the
mount 36.1 to have a plurality of spaced-apart pairs of apertures, in this
example three
pairs of apertures, namely, apertures 54.1 and 56.1, 140 and 141, and 142 and
143. In this
example the pairs of apertures are spaced-apart at two inch intervals to
accommodate
different trailer frames' sizes. The mount 36.1 so configured may accommodate,
for
example, a four inch, six inch or eight inch trailer frame. Apparatus 20.1
thus provides
the further advantage of accommodating a greater variety of different-sized
trailer frames.
[0028] Figure 12 shows a locking pin 122 which may be used in the place
of pin 98
and clip 104 shown in Figures 7 and 10. The pin 122 is conventional and can be
bought
off the shelf Pin 122 has an enlarged portion in this example boss 130 located
at a first
end 126 of the pin 122. Pin 122 also has a further enlarged portion in this
example a lock
cylinder 131 located at a second end 128, which is opposite the first end 126.
The pin 122
includes a shaft 124 extending between the first end 126 and the second end
128 through
sockets in the cylinders such as socket 129 in boss 130 and a similar socket
(not shown)
in lock cylinder 131. Shaft 124 is shaped to selectively extend through, for
example, both
apertures 34 and 35 of the trailer hitch receptacle 22 shown in Figure 1 and
apertures 94
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of the ball mount 74 shown in Figure 6. The pin 122 includes a locking
mechanism 132
having a key 134 and a keyhole 136 shaped to receive the key 134. When the pin
122 is
in its locked mode boss 130 is fixedly connected to shaft 124. To unlock the
pin 122
waterproof cap 138 is removed from end 128, key 134 is inserted within keyhole
136 and
5 then turned. This in turn will allow one of the boss 130 and the lock
cylinder 131 to be
removed in order to pass shaft 124 through apertures 34 and 35 shown in Figure
1 and
apertures 94 shown in Figure 6. Locking pins, including their parts and
function, are well
known to those skilled in the art and therefore pin 122 will not be discussed
in further
detail.
10 [0029] Many advantages result from the structure of the present
invention. For
example, because the apparatus as herein disclosed is configured for mounting
to a
trailer, this provides the advantage of ensuring that the correct ball mount
is matched with
the correct trailer. Storing the ball mount on the trailer provides the
further advantage of
ensuring that the correct ball mount is readily available. The problems
associated with
trying to force fit together different ball mounts of varying sizes to non-
matching trailers
are thus reduced if not eliminated.
[0030] The apparatus as herein disclosed may be relatively more long-
lasting because
by being configured to mount to a trailer it may be less exposed debris, dirt
and the like,
compared to storage devices for example mounted underneath a truck. This is
important
because when the trailer hitch is removed from the device for transporting a
trailer, one
wants to ensure that the trailer hitch storage apparatus remains safely and
securely
connected to withstand bumps and vibrations.
[0031] The two spaced-apart side plates together with the end plate
provide a
structure that is relatively more robust and thus better able to withstand
shear forces,
torsional forces, fatigue failure through vibrations and the like compared to
some prior art
devices.
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[0032] This is further reinforced by the brace connected to and
angularly extending
between both the mount and the trailer hitch receptacle. The brace and the
truss (or
triangular structure) thereby act to further enhance the structural integrity
of the
apparatus, ensuring that the apparatus is even more resistant to failure and
wear and tear.
[0033] In view of the above, the apparatus as herein disclosed provides the
advantage
of being readily attachable and usable on any number of different trailers.
Also the
apparatus does not require any need to drill into, modify or otherwise damage
existing
trucks or trailers. Thus apparatus provides the advantage of not adversely
affecting the re-
sell value of the truck or trailer.
[0034] By using the storage apparatus as herein disclosed to store the ball
mount out
of the way of the trailer hitch receiver, one can avoid banging one's
legs/shins into the
ball mount which would otherwise remain attached to a vehicle when walking
behind the
vehicle or when needing access to the truck box or SUV trunk. Also, leaving a
ball mount
on a vehicle while driving around may pose a potential risk of rear-ender
accidents or
backing up accidents because the trailer hitch extends beyond the bumper and
can alter a
driver's perception of how close or far away their vehicle is from the vehicle
in front of
them. Thus, the use of the storage apparatus as herein disclosed provides the
further
advantage of acting to reduce accidents.
100351 It will be appreciated that many variations are possible within
the scope of the
invention described herein. For example bolt 60 and nut 62 are just one
example of a
connector. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many other
connectors,
such as fasteners, latching mechanisms and the like, that may be used to the
same effect.
[0036] Instead of pins 98 and 122, a shaft extending between the
apertures of the
trailer hitch receptacle and ball mount may be used to similar effect. The
shaft may be
held in place by being so shaped as to snugly fit through the apertures and at
least partly
frictionally engage tube 24 and/or tube 88 of the ball mount 74.
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[0037] The apparatus as herein described discloses various welds for
connecting its
various parts together. The exact location and number of these welds may vary
greatly
and their description is not intended to be limiting. Moreover those skilled
in the art will
appreciate that there are many other ways through which the various parts of
the
apparatus may be connected such as mechanical fasteners.
[0038] While ball mount 74 is discussed in Figure 6 those skilled in the
art will
appreciate that the apparatus as herein disclosed may equally operate with
other types of
trailer hitches.
[0039] It will be understood by someone skilled in the art that many of
the details
provided above are by way of example only and are not intended to limit the
scope of the
invention which is to be determined with reference to the following claims.
